UPDATED: Memorial Ride raises thousands for Rouse family

Approximately $15,000 was raised from the Cliff Rouse Memorial Ride on Saturday. Close to 700 registered bikes rode in the memorial ride.

All of the money is going to Rouse's wife and two children, a 13-year-old son and 6-year-old daughter with special needs.

FOX 31's Sarah Bleau contributed to this story.

Original Story

You may have heard the rumble of hundreds of motorcycles Saturday. A memorial ride for fallen Dougherty County Police Officer Cliff Rouse started at Veterans Park and went to the fraternal order of police building.

And even though Rouse is gone, by the number of people that came out in his honor, you can tell he's not forgotten.

"They're recognizing and representing a very, very special man," said Dougherty County Police Chief Don Cheek.

A special man who gave his life for the badge, Rouse was killed in the line of duty two days before Christmas last year.

On Saturday close to a thousand bikers paid their respects by taking a ride in unison.

"This is just a way of showing our honor to him and to help his family also," said Wes Shubert who coordinated the ride.

All the bikers paid to register for the ride and raised $11,000 that went to the Rouse family.

"This ride here it's just remarkable, it's just awesome," said Rouse's mother Jackie. "We have our days that we get through things real good and we have our days where we're not good at all, because we miss him so much."

Cliff Rouse did not ride motorcycles, but many of the people who came out today say this was his community and he was one of them, because he would often be the lead escort on other motorcycle rides.

"Cliff Rouse used to get involved in helping lead these escorts so it's kind of ironic that we are doing one in his memory today," said Cheek.

"He made sure the bikes got there safe with no problems at all. He would always come in on his weekends off and lead the bikes and this is just our way of leading Cliff today," said Shubert.

"As a momma, in my heart he is still a little boy, always will be. I know there is no doubt in my mind where Cliff Rouse is today," said Jackie Rouse.